"T-that's impossible!" Yumiko shouted. "He was fine ten seconds ago!"
"There's-there's no way he just suddenly died," Hina said in denial.
"No, Tobe-senpai," Iroha cried. Yui hugged her as we looked at Tobe's still body. "It can't be..."
Suddenly, to everyone's shock, Tobe sat up sharply. Hina and Yumiko jumped back in fright but were quickly relieved to see their friend moving. Meguri shook her head in disbelief, muttering, "Impossible." I ignored them all and focused on Tobe's face. His teeth were chattering as if he were freezing, deep, dark veins were prominent beneath his skin, and his eyes had turned a murky white.
"Get away!" I yelled as I pulled Iroha back as she was about to move closer. She and everyone else looked at me as if I had gone crazy. "Get away from him! Now!"
"What the hell, Hikio!" Yumiko glared at me. "What's your probl-"
A deep, raspy growl escaped Tobe's mouth as he stood up, silencing Yumiko. He moved awkwardly, waving his arms from side to side while his neck twitched and jerked. Clicking his teeth, he turned his head toward Yumiko with a low growling noise.
"Tobe?" Hina said, gaining Tobe's attention.
"Rawgh!" Tobe roared and rushed her.
Hina shrieked in fright and fell back as Tobe reached out to grab her. However, as he moved in, he slipped on the blood that had pooled on the ground from earlier. Tobe fell and violently hit his head on the edge of one of the workstations, splitting his head open. He collapsed to the ground and began to twitch.
"Tobe!" Hayato, Yamato, and Oka yelled and were about to run to check on their friend, but stopped when I stepped in front of them. Hayato turned to me in anger. "Hikigaya, get out of my way! He needs help!" he said.
"Ebina, get away from him," I whispered, and she numbly followed my instructions, realizing the truth of the situation. Just as Hayato and Yumiko were about to argue, Hina shook her head at them. Silencing whatever protest they had.
To Hayato and the rest of the clique's surprise, Tobe began to get up slowly, ignoring his bleeding head wound.
There's no doubt about it now. Tobe is now one of them.
I shuffled over to a nearby work table, picked up a pot and a ladle, and then carefully moved to stand in front of the window where the man from earlier had crashed through.
"Hikigaya-kun? What are you-" Yukino whispered, but I silenced her with a finger over my lips.
Everyone watched as Tobe shuffled around, his head rolling around in search of a sound. His teeth clattered as he bit at the air with a low growl. Seeing his actions, some of the more astute observers in the room grew to realize what had happened to Tobe.
I took a deep breath, feeling the cool outside air sting my lungs as I steadied myself. Clutching the heavy pot in one hand and gripping the long ladle tightly in the other, I raised them high above my head, letting the metal catch the LED lights from above. Mustering all the courage I could find, I began banging the pot and ladle together, creating a cacophony of loud, resonant clangs that echoed against the walls.
Tobe whipped around to face me, his murky eyes wide with a mix of fury and hunger. He let out a furious roar that reverberated in my ears, sending a chill down my spine. In an awkward lunge, he launched himself towards me, his arms outstretched and hands clawing the air, desperate to reach me.
Just as he was about to grasp me, I dropped to the floor in a crouch, my heart racing. In a chaotic twist, Tobe stumbled over my crouched form, his momentum sending him barreling out the window behind me. With a dramatic flourish, he flew through the open frame, disappearing as the sound of a loud thud filled the air.
"Tobe!" Hayato and the rest of his group, except for Hina, shouted as they rushed to the window. Hayato stared down in shock at the still form of his friend. Tobe's head was twisted at an unnatural angle.
As I felt my heart rate slow down from what I had just done, I stood up, but I was suddenly punched in the face by an enraged Yamato. Caught off balance, I fell to the ground.
"You bastard!" Yamato roared and rushed me. I raised my arms in defense as he tried to punch me once more from where he now stradled me.
"Hikki!" Yui yelled and ran to stop Yamato. "Stop it!"
Yukino shook herself out of her stupor and moved in as well. "Enough!" she hissed, pushing Yamato back. "Control yourself!"
"What?! This-this bastard just killed Tobe!" Yamato growled, tears falling down his face. He raised his fists and glared down at me. As he tried to move to strike me, Yui and Yukino stood in front of me. Daring Yamato to take another step.
"Hachiman," Saika kneeled beside me. "Are you okay?"
"I'm… fine, Totsuka," I managed, rising to my feet. Feeling a quick flash of anger, I glared up at Yamato. Just then, I felt a sharp pain in my lungs move into my chest. But as quickly as it came, it vanished.
What was that?
I shook my head and decided to worry about whatever that was later. I moved forward and placed myself in front of Yui and Yukino, who looked at me with concern. "Yamato... don't tell me that after all that, you still believe that... that was still Tobe."
"What? The hell are you talking about?" Yamato hissed, his fists shaking.
"Stop it, Yamato," Hayama whispered, his head low. Beside him, Yumiko was crying into her hands while Oka had a shocked expression. Hina stood frozen, her puffy red eyes staring off into nothing. "Hikigaya is right... Look."
Yamato blinked and walked over beside him. He turned down and was shocked to see Tobe standing on his feet. The spine from his neck was protruding out of his skin as his head hung to the side. As if nothing was wrong, Tobe began to walk away.
"Tobe... what... what just happened?" Yamato muttered in shock. Oka shook his head and placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Hikigaya," Hayato whispered and turned to me. "How did you know that was going to happen?"
I rubbed my slowly bruising cheek and listened to the sounds of chaotic bangs and guttural growls from behind the wall keeping the rest of those things out. In the distance, a thunderous explosion reverberated through the air, its vibrations almost shaking the ground beneath my feet. I ignored the stares from those around me and looked out the window at the blood and gore smeared across the streets. The sun was beginning to set, and the flames from the burning building in front of us illuminated the area as night soon approached.
"It's just a theory, but I believe the bites are the cause. Almost everyone I saw on the streets, attacking or eating others, had bite marks. It seems that if you get bitten by one of those things, you'll eventually turn into one of them. I wasn't entirely sure at first, but after Tobe was bitten, it didn't take long for him to become one of them. In other words, if you get bitten by them, you'll suffer whatever effects those bites cause, and you'll eventually die and turn into one of them."
Once I finished speaking, Yamato ran past Yui and Yukino and grabbed the front of my jacket. His eyes, red and puffy, glared down at me with intense anger.
"You didn't think to tell us that sooner?! If you did, then maybe Tobe-Tobe would still be alive!" Yamato yelled. I grit my teeth and grab his wrists.
"You think I wanted this!" I yelled in anger. Yamato flinched back, as did everyone else in the room. Yui and Yukino stared at me in concern and took a step forward. I had never lost my cool like this before, and it surprised them all. I couldn't help it; I was at my wits' end. "You think I wanted Tobe to die?! If I hadn't done what I did, Tobe would have just bitten someone else, and then there would be even more of them inside with us! If that had happened, we would have all died!"
"Let him go right now!" Yukino growled as she grabbed one of Yamato's arms and tried to push him away. Yui ran to my other side and did the same thing.
"I won't forgive you if you hurt Hikki again!" Yui yelled as she glared at Yamato.
"Let him go, Yamato... It's as Hikigaya said, he wasn't completely sure. So there was no way for him to know that this is what would have happened." Hayama said with a defeated expression and placed a hand on Yamato's shoulder. "He... he did what had to be done."
"Hayama..." Yamato whispered as he stepped back, grief washing over him as he looked down at his hands. Slowly, he made his way to the spot where Tobe had once sat. His gaze fell on Tobe's fallen headband. He bent down and picked it up. "Damn it."
"What do we do now?" Saki asked as she approached us, her sister by her side, facing away from the carnage on the floor. Zaimokusa and Saika nodded, their eyes focused on the chaos outside. The groans and banging from just beyond the walls reminded us that we were still in danger.
"Why is this happening?" Saika asked, confused and scared.
I let out a weary sigh and reached for my phone, feeling the heaviness of the day's events weighing on my mind. As I began to scroll through the news feed, a wave of unease washed over me. What I found online was disquieting. The chaos unfolding around me was merely a fraction of a much larger, more troubling phenomenon spreading across the country, even across the world.
My phone screen lit up with disturbing headlines, each more alarming than the last. I came across videos and live streams that captured the mayhem—groups of the aggressive flesh-hungry things roaming the streets, their faces contorted with rage as they targeted anyone who appeared different from them. It felt as if the world was unraveling, and I couldn't shake the growing feeling of helplessness that settled in my chest.
Hold on... this is happening... everywhere?
"Komachi!"
x x x
"...due to the ongoing crisis, authorities strongly recommend that residents remain indoors unless it is absolutely essential to venture outside. This precaution is in place to ensure public safety amid rising tensions and unforeseen circumstances."
"...currently, this extraordinary situation has rapidly proliferated across the entirety of North America, creating a widespread atmosphere of uncertainty and concern. Communities are facing unprecedented challenges as the phenomenon escalates."
"...in response to growing threats, government officials are preparing for the potential deployment of tactical nuclear weapons. This grave measure indicates the severity of the situation and the lengths to which authorities may go to protect their citizens."
"...in light of these developments, Mexico has effectively closed its borders, responding to a significant influx of U.S. citizens seeking refuge from the turmoil that has enveloped the region. This decision has led to heightened tensions at border crossings and has raised concerns about the safety of those trying to escape."
"...communication channels with Moscow have been severed entirely, leaving many in the dark about the unfolding situation there. Meanwhile, troubling reports indicate that the city of Beijing is engulfed in flames, with little information available about the cause or extent of the destruction."
"...Gentek, a leading company specializing in biological and genetic research, has just announced that it will be establishing multiple safe zones across the nation in response to the alarming spread of a mysterious biological infection affecting thousands of individuals. These safe zones are designed to provide refuge and medical support for those impacted by the outbreak."
"...in Europe, cities like Paris and Rome are grappling with rampant looting and acts of violence, creating an atmosphere of fear and an urgent need for law enforcement to restore order."
"...in response to these escalating crises, Japan's Prime Minister has officially declared a state of national emergency, granting the government enhanced powers to enact measures aimed at restoring stability and ensuring the safety of the population."
x x x
"It's everywhere… this is happening everywhere," Yumiko whispered, her voice barely rising above the low hum of anxiety that filled the room. As did everyone else.
The crisis extended far beyond Japan, affecting nearly every corner of the globe. News broadcasts and online platforms were inundated with alarming reports about the ongoing violent epidemic. A disturbing phenomenon that impacted not only Japan but also countries from the United States and the United Kingdom to distant nations in South America.
"Hikigaya-kun, please calm down," Yukino said as she followed me around the room. Yui walked beside her while I searched every drawer and cabinet for useful tools or items. My gaze moved from one of the curtains on the wall to the broken window.
With a surge of frustration, I yanked one of the curtains free from its rod, the aluminum pole clattering to the ground. I moved from one curtain to the next, stripping the room bare of its drapery and stacking the colorful fabric in a haphazard pile by the work tables beneath the cracked window. Kneeling on the cool, uneven floor, I began to tie the curtains together meticulously, my fingers fumbling slightly.
"Hikki, are you planning to climb out the window?" Yui asked with worry, holding one of the purple curtains in her hands. I nodded in response, wincing in pain as my cheek throbbed.
"Yes, I can't go out the main door with the lockers and those things in the way. I need to get out of here. Komachi needs me." I said and pulled the knot. The memory of my sister's frightened voice urged me on.
...15 minutes ago…
"How about this one, Komachi-chan?" Taishi Kawasaki asked enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he held up an elegantly packaged box of chocolates adorned with a vibrant red bow.
Komachi tilted her head as she hummed thoughtfully, reaching out to take the box from her friend's hand. She examined it closely, running her fingers over the glossy surface and taking in the enticing design. After a moment, she nodded with satisfaction. "Mhm! This looks perfect! Onii-chan has a serious sweet tooth, so I always have to find just the right chocolate for him."
With a bright smile, she placed the box into her shopping basket. Continuing their journey down the colorful aisle lined with sweets, Komachi and Taishi eagerly browsed an array of chocolate options from the shelves, each more tempting than the last.
Suddenly, Komachi's eyes widened as she spotted a bag of rich dark chocolates nestled among the assorted brands. She abruptly turned to the younger Kawasaki, her expression lighting up with curiosity. "You like dark chocolate, don't you, Taishi-kun?" she asked, holding up the sleek blue bag that showcased the glossy treats inside.
Taishi felt a blush creep to his cheeks as he scratched the back of his head, a shy smile forming on his lips. "I do! You remembered that?" he replied, surprised but pleased at her thoughtfulness.
Off in the store, he thought he heard a thud but paid it no mind. Someone must have dropped a bag of rice or something like that, Taishi thought.
"Of course! What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?" Komachi said as she placed the bag of dark chocolates in her basket. Before she could pick it up, her phone began to ring. The ringtone was the one she had specifically assigned to her brother. It was the theme song to an old anime they used to watch when they were younger. "Onii-chan! How's the Valentine's-"
"Komachi!" Komachi flinched as her brother's loud, panicked voice rang out from her phone's speakers. Komachi immediately grew concerned. She had never heard her brother sound so frightened or panicked.
"O-Onii-chan? What's wrong?!" Komachi said quickly. Taishi turned to her and returned the bag of brown sugar he had picked up.
"Komachi-chan?" Taishi said.
"Komachi! Are you home right now?!" Hachiman said.
Komachi shook her head despite knowing her brother couldn't see the action. "No… I'm at the store with Taishi-kun. Onii-chan, what's going on?" She said, causing her brother to swear.
"Komachi. Listen to me very carefully, stop what you're doing, and go home right now. Take the bug with you and stay away from anyone who's acting strangely." Hachiman said, and Komachi looked at Taishi.
"W-whats going on, Onii-chan?" Komachi asked.
"There's no time for questions! Just do what I say! Hurry!" Hachiman said pleadingly.
Komachi was unsure of what was happening, but the panic in her brother's voice prompted her to take action quickly. She set her basket aside and grabbed Taishi's hand. Together, they began to walk out of the store.
"Komachi? What's going on? What about the chocolates?" Taishi asked. His attention was drawn away as he faintly heard a crack toward the front of the store.
"Okay, we're leaving. Please tell me what's going on," Komachi asked her brother as they turned the corner of the aisle and headed towards the front entrance.
"I'm not completely sure, but there's some sort of epidemic going on right now. It's causing people to turn on one another. They're killing each other. Komachi. Whatever happens, do not let any of them bite you." Hachiman said, but he was seemingly ignored as Komachi and Taishi stood frozen. "Komachi? Komachi, are you there?!"
Komachi and Taishi watched in silence as a middle-aged woman in a bloodied business suit straddled the sprawled-out body of the nice old man who worked at the store. Earlier, he had welcomed them with a cheerful smile. And now, the woman above him was biting and eating away at his neck.
The grey-skinned woman jerked her back, and a large piece of flesh was ripped from the man's neck, sending blood all over the once white floor. The red flesh hung limply in her teeth as she chewed and swallowed. Several bite marks could be seen on her upper body and legs, while large chunks of muscle were missing from her left arm.
"Onii-chan, someone... someone is being eaten," Komachi whispered in horror.